La Torre della Palazzina is a beautiful centuries old circular military watchtower. Set in the hills of south-eastern Tuscany in its own two acres of land with a stunning swimming pool, it has really spectacular views over towering majestic cypress trees to the Umbrian hills on the other side of the Niccone valley. The restoration of the Tower, which is listed as a building of special historical interest, has hardly altered the original 15th century outside appearance at all. However, the three interior floors, which still retain their ancient wooden beams and terracotta tiles, have been ingeniously altered to provide modern and comfortable rental accommodation for four people all the year round.
The very low window sills, the open stone & spiral staircases and the garden terraces with their steep stone steps are potentially dangerous, so the owners have stipulated that for safety reasons no children under the age of 16 are allowed.
The front door with French windows leads from the large paved outside terrace directly into the ground floor of the Tower which contains a modern kitchen, a sitting and a dining area.
The focal point of the cosy sitting area is the original Tuscan fireplace which now uses a wood burning stove for roaring open fires in the chillier winter evenings.
The well equipped kitchen contains a four-ring gas hob, electric oven, fridge/freezer and a washing machine. There is a plentiful supply of crockery, glasses and kitchen utensils for every sort of culinary feast.
Just in case the weather will not allow you dine outside there is an internal dining area with table that can be extended to comfortably seat 4 people. A winding stone open staircase leads up to the first floor.
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The furnishing and fittings throughout the Tower reflect the local craftsmanship that still prevails in this part of Italy |
The half mooned shaped main bedroom with double bed has lovely views over the surrounding countryside from two windows.
There is a small curved shaped bathroom with large walk in shower, basin and a loo. A spiral staircase leads up to the top floor.
The complete top floor of the Tower has a magical circular domed terracotta brick ceiling and contains two single beds. The unique design of the Tower and the spiral staircase do not allow for a door to this bedroom, although the layout of the room and the position of the beds do provide total privacy from view from downstairs. There are views over the garden and swimming pool from a small window. The sill for this window is low which makes this room very unsuitable for children who might not recognise the potential danger. There is long drop to the stone terrace.
The Tower has its own private and secluded paved outdoor terrace, with stylish wooden garden furniture, sun umbrellas and barbecue.
You can dine, doze, drink and dream here on this terrace as you gaze at the fabulous views.
The 6 x 12 metre swimming pool with Roman steps is situated in a dramatic position on a terrace up and behind the Tower. There is an ecological salt based cleaning system for the pool which is gentle to the skin and the eyes. The large terrace that surrounds the pool has a wooden teak sun beds, tables, sun umbrellas and chairs.
The pool design allows one to laze indolently on the Roman steps or stand on a small inner ledge that runs all around the pool and gaze at the stupendous views whilst immersed in the warm water. This really is a pool with a view!
La Palazzina is our own home and when we (a British married couple!) are in Italy we live at the far end of the neighbouring farmhouse. If required we can provide every sort of assistance on your arrival and also during your stay, or alternatively we can remain totally unobtrusive and discreet! We do provide a truly comprehensive house book with a mass of information on the local area which many of our guests have found makes their own guidebooks almost redundant.
As you can see from this photograph the Tower and Farmhouse are quite close together, but there is almost total privacy from view, courtesy of a huge flowering honeysuckle hedge and other plants and flower laden trellises. We have concentrated on achieving this privacy for our mutual enjoyment and independence!
Central heating and log fires make this unique property of La Torre della Palazzina a perfect retreat for romantic winter breaks as well as those indulgent lazy summer ones!
An imposing tree lined private gravel driveway leads from the public road to these wrought iron gates that mark the entrance to La Palazzina. These gates open into a spacious car park that provides plenty of space for three cars.
The two acre garden that surrounds La Palazzina is for you to explore and enjoy. Some of the loveliest country walks in the valley lead directly from the garden. The house book in the Tower provides you with some guided walks that will take you along magical trails that only we know about!
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We have created a number of seats and viewing places throughout the garden that provide ideal spots for rest, snoozing or just for a quiet read. |
The prevailing comment from nearly all of our guests is that the views and the setting are massively understated in all the publicity about the property and that they really do need to be experienced to be fully appreciated. The following photos are an attempt to do these fabulous characteristics some justice.
The location of La Torre della Palazzina, shown here nestling under the battlements of an ancient medieval castle, is the very stuff of dreams. Above all else life meanders at a gentle and leisurely pace here!
Many of our guests are artists who come to enjoy the perfect light that prevails at certain times of the day. Many also delight in photographic opportunities such as this early morning mist that often envelopes the valley before it recedes under the rising sun.
This early morning autumnal view from Umbria, on the other side of the valley, towards Tuscany and the castle, under whose battlements La Torre della Palazzina nestles, reveals the magnificent setting of the property.
This view from La Palazzina in the opposite direction across the Niccone valley towards Umbria reveals another castle which was sited historically in a convenient strategic position to observe the opposition! These and other castles along both sides of the Niccone valley, which forms the border between Umbria and Tuscany, highlight the historical significance of this fascinating part of Italy. This location also illustrates that you are close to the cultural gems of both these fabulous regions of central Italy. Assisi, Gubbio and Perugia in Umbria and Cortona, Siena and Montepulciano in Tuscany, to name just a few lovely towns, are all close by. Both Florence and Rome are easily accessible as well. |
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Just a few minutes drive south of La Palazzina is one of Italy’s largest lakes. Lago Trasimeno has a fascinating history and like the Niccone valley there are innumerable castles around the shore line and on the islands of the lake. This particular island can be reached by ferry boat and provides a lovely days exploration and opportunity to dine at a choice of restaurants. There is even a small hotel in case you miss the last ferry back in the evening!
La Torre della Palazzina is a very special place in which to stay at any time of the year. We really look forward to welcoming you here to our home and to help you realise your Italian dream holiday.
Since we finished restoring the Tower and the farmhouse alongside some 20 years ago, we have created a small villa rental company that specialises in properties in the same magical area on the Tuscany & Umbria borders. So, if by chance we do not have any availability in our Tower for the period you want we can recommend another villa from this choice selection of other special places. All these properties can be seen on our main website ~ www.italianencounters.com ~ in which inevitably our Tower features prominently! Please just call at any time and we will be delighted to help you find somewhere to stay.
Summary
Property Name: La Torre della Palazzina
| Item | Detail | Remarks |
| Location | ||
| Region of Italy | Tuscany | North of Lago Trasimeno in the Niccone valley on Umbria border |
| Accommodation | ||
| Max Numbers of People | 4 | |
| Bedrooms | 2 | |
| Bedroom 1 | 1 double bed | |
| Bedroom 2 | 2 single beds | |
| Bathrooms | 1 | Large walk in shower, basin, loo |
| Sitting / Dining Rooms | Yes | Combined. Table for 4 people |
| Kitchen / Appliances | Yes | Electric oven, 4 ring gas hob, fridge/freezer |
| Other Rooms | No | |
| Additional Sofa / Fold Up Beds | No | |
| Cots | No | |
| Suitability for disabled access | No |
| Facilities & Supplementary Information |
| Interior | ||
| Heating | Yes | Gas fired central heating |
| Open Fireplace | Yes | Wood burning stove |
| Air Conditioning | No | |
| Fans | 2 | Free standing |
| Mosquito Nets / Screens | Yes | Net over bed & retractable screen in main bedroom window |
| Linen & Towels | Yes | Changed at the end of each week |
| Additional Towels for Pool | Yes | Changed at the end of each week |
| High Chair for Children | No | |
| Toys for Children | No | |
| Washing Machine | Yes | |
| Dishwasher | No | |
| Hairdryer | Yes | |
| TV | No | |
| DVD player | No | |
| Video player | No | |
| Radio / CD Player | Yes | |
| Telephone | No | |
| Fax | No | |
| Mobile Telephone Reception | Moderate | |
| Internet access | Yes | Limited WiFi access |
| SKYPE/VOIP facilities | No | |
| Safe Box for Valuables | No | |
| First Evening Meal | Yes | On request at cost |
| Other Meals | No | |
| Welcome Food Pack | A selection of food basics, including wine, are provided | |
| Reading Books & Board Games | Yes | |
| Extra Cleaning | Yes | |
| Smoking Policy | Smoking is permitted. As with commonly accepted polite practise this should be restricted to reception rooms and outside the property | |
| House Book | Yes | Very comprehensive. Extensive details of local information |
| Reception on arrival | Yes | Provided estimated arrival time is known and confirmed |
| Assistance | Yes | The owners live in the neighbouring house and are on call to help for those unusual events and circumstances that cannot be resolved by reading the house book |
| Exterior | ||
| Swimming Pool | Yes | Size in mts. Breadth: 6, Length: 12, Shallow: 1.25, Deep: 2.5 Access: Roman steps Cleaning System: Salt based Open: May to Sep (inclusive) Usage: Shared with the owners (usually only two) Facilities: Shower, loungers, tables, chairs, sun umbrellas |
| Garden | Yes | Approximately 3 acres, some steep banks/slopes/stone steps |
| Terrace | Yes | Dining table, chairs, deck chair type chairs, sun umbrellas |
| Tennis Court | No | |
| Other Sporting Facilities | No | |
| BBQ | Yes | Charcoal “Webber” |
| Pizza Oven | No | |
| Nearest Neighbouring Property | 400 metres. Not overlooked | |
| Animals Close to Premises | Yes | The owners currently have a small dog |
| Approach Drive | 1 km private gravel road in good condition from public road. Suitable for all types of car | |
| Garden Security | Gates to driveway entrance | |
| Covered Car Port | No | |
| Car Parking | Yes | Space for 2 cars |
| Water Source | Private well. Drinkable | |
| Rental Facts | ||
| Rental Basis | Self catering | |
| Price Grading | Detailed prices are available on request. | |
| Breakage/Security/Deposit | No | Breakages are to be reported to the owners, or their representative, before departure |
| Rental Restrictions | Yes | 1. No children. The hazardous style of the windows, the staircases and the garden terraces with their stone steps make it precarious for children, so no children under the age of 16 are allowed 2. No pets |
| Rental Periods | Available throughout the year for a minimum of 7 nights with changeover on Saturday | |
| Included in the Rental Price | Local taxes Electricity, gas and water (for normal general usage) Use and laundry of bed linen & towels, final cleaning |
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| Not Included in the Rental Price (Payment Locally) | Excessive use of utilities Central heating First evening meal Extra cleaning |
Approximate Driving Times in Minutes/Hours
These driving times, which are based on local knowledge, provide a more pertinent indicator than merely distances
Airports
Perugia (Ryanair) 35
Florence (Meridiana) 1.5 - 2 hours
Ancona, Forli (Ryanair) 2 - 2.5 hours
Rome Ciampino (Ryanair, EasyJet), Rome Fiumicino (World airlines), Pescara (Ryanair), Bologna (BA), Rimini (Easy Jet) 2.5 - 3 hours
Pisa (BA, Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2, Thomson) 3 hours
Milan (World airlines) 4 - 5 hours
Main Line Rail Station
Cortona Terontola (Rome - Florence line) 25
Nearest Villages with Food Shops
Mercatale 10
Niccone 11
Umbertide 15
Restaurants
Sant’Andrea di Sorbello 3
Mercatale 10
Ten more restaurants within 25 min drive
Motorways
Umbertide exit of E45 (Orte-Cesena dual carriageway) 18
Bettolle exit of A1 (Roma-Firenze autostrada) 40
Cultural Sights
Cortona, Citta di Castello, Sansepolcro. 20 - 30 mins
Gubbio, Perugia, Deruta, Assisi, Arezzo, Spello, Pienza, Orvieto, Todi, Spoleto. 30 - 60 mins
Siena. 1 hour
Florence. 1.5 hours
Rome 2.5. hours
Wine Centres
Wine Tasting @ Molino Vitelli 9 & Umbertide 15
Montepulciano 50
Montefalco 55
Montalcino 1.10 hours
Sporting Locations
Golf. Antognola 20
Boating/Sailing. Lago Trasimeno 20
Fishing. Umbertide 20
Tennis. Mercatale 10
Horse Riding. San Pietro a Monte 25
Beaches
Tuoro sul Trasimeno. 20
West Coast. 2.5 hours
East Coast. 3.0 hours
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As Featured in Alastair Sawday’s Special Places To Stay There is an English inflection to La Palazzina, with its quirky 14th-century watchtower planted inexplicably beside the main house. And it makes a most unusual self-contained retreat with luscious views across the wooded valley. You get a well-equipped kitchen, a wood-burner for cosy nights, a winding stair to a half-moon double and, at the top, a twin with a stunning, brick-beehive ceiling. The honeysuckle-strewn terrace is just as you would wish, with cypress trees marching sedately up the hill alongside, and birdsong to disturb the peace. |
Some Comments From Previous Guests
“ …………not even in our wildest most romantic dreams did we ever imagine that we would find such a fabulous place for our honeymoon! “ J & S ~ London
“ …... having read your amazingly comprehensive house book we threw away our own guide books". T & S ~ Sydney
" ….... La Palazzina is surely the most sublime Italian holiday location of all time." PD ~ Gloucestershire
" …... our first evening meal at La Palazzina
was the perfect introduction to Italy." TW ~ Dorset
“ ……… the views from the terrace and the
pool are stunning and the photos on your website do not even begin
to do them justice, you just have to be here to see them “ D & D ~ Somerset
“ La Torre della Palazzina is the most beautiful accommodation we have come across. It just draws you to Italy.” J & D Sydney
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